The history of the Ohio Conference AAUP might be divided into the stories of the “Old Conference” and the “New Conference.” The “Old Conference” began on April 30, 1949, at the Faculty Club, Ohio State University, when twenty-three persons from twelve institutions gathered. They organized the Conference of the Ohio Chapters of the American Association of University Professors. Present as guest consultant was Professor Quincy Wright of the University of Chicago, eminent educator and ex-president of national AAUP. At this time there were twenty-one chapters in Ohio and total membership therein was 1,787.

In 1951, the organization became the Ohio Conference of Chapters of the American Association of University Professors. This still “Old Conference” dealt diligently with the U.S. House of Un-American Activities Committee, the Ohio Un-American Activities Committee, McCarthyism, and also inefficiency in the national office of AAUP. A highlight of the “Old Conference” was a stirring address, “The Attacks on the Intellect – A Discussion of Academic Freedom, “ by Agnes E. Meyer, publisher of the Washington Post, at the meeting of February 27, 1954, at Ohio University, eighty-six delegates being present. Much conference attention was given to the case of tenured Professor William E. Felch of Philosophy, dismissed at Findlay College on July 20, 1961. Unaided by national AAUP, the Ohio Conference helped Professor Felch; his record was cleared of charges; he was allowed to resign with honor, and received a monetary settlement.

The “Old” Ohio Conference gave little attention to the economic aspects of higher education. Perhaps intentionally those matters were left to the AAUP Council of State Universities in Ohio (CSUO).

On October 25, 1952, six state-supported universities in Ohio formed the Council of State Universities in Ohio. Initially a five-dollar contribution by each chapter financed the organization. CSUO met more frequently than the “Old” Ohio Conference which held one yearly meeting. Indeed, CSUO averaged four to five meetings a year. It was customary for CSUO to hold one of its meetings early on the same day of the annual Ohio Conference since Council delegates were members of both groups and attended the meetings of both. CSUO focused largely on obtaining equitable salaries, but also on teaching loads, general financing problems facing public institutions, and gaining allies such as the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.

As the activities and outlooks of the private and public colleges and universities grew and vied for the attention of the National Office of AAUP, there was evident need for a more serviceable organization on the state level. Therefore, in 1962, there appeared the AAUP Council of Private Institutions of Higher Education in Ohio and the AAUP Council of Public Institutions in Ohio; each group elected senators to the Ohio Conference, which became the official AAUP state unit. However, this constitutional structure proved ineffective. Upon continued urging of the AAUP national headquarters, a thorough study of organization ensued.

As a result, on March 30, 1968, at a Conference meeting at Findlay College, the delegates approved the new constitution. Thus the Ohio Conference became a federation of two councils, comprising chapters in the private and public sectors. Each council became responsible for its own acts; however, each council may bring its proposals to a Conference meeting. Consequently, the “new” Ohio Conference AAUP debuted.

This “new” Ohio Conference has considerably relied on its committees. Committee A (Academic Freedom and Tenure) has been very conscientious. In its earlier years a committee delegation visited campuses that had serious problems. Such situations included Defiance, Heidelberg, Kenyon and Oberlin. A determined effort was made to mediate in the strike at Antioch. A delegation went to Oxford to help the Western College faculty in the absorption of Western by Miami University. In later years, the chair of Committee A visited campuses such as Ashland, Denison, Lake Erie, Capital, Marietta and Muskingum to help beleaguered faculty members. This committee issues reports of its activities.

Other committees labor. The one on legislative matters carefully monitors the Ohio Senate and House. The Committee on Organizing and Collective Bargaining has helped immeasurably the establishment of collective bargaining units on public campuses. The Committee on Economic Issues gathers and distributes valuable data on faculty salaries and related issues in Ohio. The Committee on Women in Academe has compiled an enviable reputation in its domain.

The “new” Ohio Conference AAUP has demonstrated ingenuity. It established the Robert E. Kennedy Award for outstanding contributions to the cause of academic freedom. There exists the well received publication, Ohio Academe. For some years there was sponsorship of Legislators’ Night at the OSU Faculty Club; this was a social gathering and dinner for state legislators and chapter presidents intended to promote a better understanding between the two groups. Now there occurs an annual breakfast for legislators and chapter representatives and a follow-up meeting with legislators in the Capitol. The Conference successfully attempted to place students on public universities boards of trustees.

The Public Council has been meeting twice a year. The activities dovetail particularly with two conference committees. It seeks to promote collective bargaining and to monitor the legislature. Among other matters, it stands for university autonomy in setting teaching loads.

The Private Council also meets twice a year. One of its achievements was its sponsoring for the Ohio Conference the Creative College Teaching Workshop, October 19, 1973, at Ohio Wesleyan University which had 200 participants. The Council has sought to convince accrediting organizations to deny accreditation to the institutions that are under AAUP censure. Recently, however, the Private Council has undergone poor attendance at its meetings despite financial help provided by national AAUP.

Finally, and most significantly, the “new” Ohio Conference instituted the office that is the very linchpin of the entire body. On December 5, 1970, the executive secretary, a part-timer, assumed office in quarters at the American Federation of Labor building in Columbus. Then, after a few years in Cleveland, the office returned to Columbus, being for some time at the Beggs Building and became full-time. Eventually, the position became executive director with office at Worthington where myriad invaluable services continue.

My apology for restraints of imposed time have prevented my doing justice to persons who have devoted countless hours to the Ohio Conference AAUP.

Article I: Name, Objectives and Membership

The name of this organization is the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors. It is a non-profit corporation affiliated with the American Association of University Professors ("AAUP".)

The Ohio Conference’s objectives shall be to further cooperation among AAUP chapters in Ohio and to promote the general aims and interests of the AAUP within the State of Ohio as specified in the Articles of Incorporation. The Ohio Conference shall show due regard for geographic and institutional representation as well as general diversity in all areas of its operations.

Membership in the Ohio Conference shall be open to all AAUP members in Ohio. Representation shall be through chapter affiliation.

Article II: Councils

The AAUP chapters in Ohio shall be divided into two Councils, the Council of Collective Bargaining Institutions of Higher Education in Ohio and the Council of Non-Collective Bargaining Institutions of Higher Education in Ohio. Each Council shall have a Chair and Secretary-Treasurer and such other officers as each determines. The Chairs of the Councils shall serve two-year terms, their election being in alternate years.

Each Council may hold meetings independently and may take action on matters within its purview. Each may make public announcements provided that such announcements are clearly identified with that Council and not the other Council or with the Ohio Conference as a whole.

Article III: Officers and Trustees

The officers of the Ohio Conference shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, who shall be the Chairs of their respective Councils, and a Secretary-Treasurer. One of the two Vice-Presidents shall be President-Elect for the next year and the other shall be President-Elect for the following year. The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve a two-year term.

The period from September 1 to August 31 shall be the term of office for all officers of the Ohio Conference. Vacancies shall be filled by the Trustees.

The Trustees of the Ohio Conference shall be the President, the two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Secretary-Treasurers of the two Councils, the immediate past President, any member from the State of Ohio then serving on the AAUP National Council or Executive Committee and the Chairs of Committees A, Government Relations, Two Year Institutions and the Chairs of three additional standing committees designated by the President with the approval of the Trustees.

The President shall preside at Conference meetings and, with the approval of the Trustees, arrange for the Conference meetings and appoint Chairs of standing committees; shall execute such matters as are referred to him or her at Conference meetings and by the Trustees; and, in consultation with the Trustees, shall take such other actions as are judged necessary to carry out the objectives of the Ohio Conference, and shall report at the next Conference meeting any actions taken by the Trustees during the time between meetings. The President-Elect shall preside in the absence of the President.

The Vice-Presidents shall report on the activities of their respective Councils at the Conference meetings.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the Ohio Conference records and collect and distribute funds, with the approval of the President, and shall make a financial report at each Conference meeting and at each Board meeting.

Article IV: Nomination of Officers

A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President, consisting of four members, two from each of the Councils. This committee shall propose, at the time of the annual meeting, nominees for the office of Secretary-Treasurer (in alternating years) and one of the two Vice-Presidents to be elected at the annual meeting of the Ohio Conference. The names of the nominees shall appear in the agenda circulated prior to the annual meeting.

Nominations may also be made from the floor.

Article V: Conference Meetings and Procedures

The Ohio Conference shall meet at least once annually at such time and place as may be decided upon by the Trustees. Representatives of seven Ohio Chapters at the Conference meeting shall constitute a quorum. The agenda shall normally be distributed to the Ohio chapters three weeks before each meeting.

Special Conference meetings may be called by the Trustees or upon petition by any seven AAUP chapters in Ohio. A Conference meeting requested by such petition shall be held within sixty days from the date of receipt of the petition by the President of the Ohio Conference’s Executive Director.

Voting shall be by delegates of the AAUP chapters in the State of Ohio present at the Conference meeting. Each chapter delegation shall have one vote.

For purposes of representation, each AAUP member at an institution of higher education in Ohio at which there is no chartered AAUP chapter shall be entitled to be a member of a single statewide chapter, called the State Chapter. This State Chapter may nominate and elect officers, who shall in turn provide for the nomination and election of delegates to the Ohio Conference.

Article VI: Dues and Finances

Ohio Conference dues shall be recommended to the AAUP be either a majority vote of the delegates voting at a special or regular Conference meeting, or a majority vote of the Trustees which vote is then ratified at the next special or regular Conference meeting. Each chapter delegation shall be entitled to one vote.

The Ohio Conference’s fiscal year shall run from January 1 to December 31. The Trustees shall prepare an annual budget for each year and submit it for approval to the membership at the annual meeting of the Ohio Conference.

Article VII: Standing Committees

The Trustees shall establish Standing Committees when deemed appropriate.

For each Standing Committee the President shall appoint a Chair. The remaining members of the Committee shall be selected by the Chair for approval by the President.

Chairs of Standing Committees shall report on the activities of their Committees at each Conference meeting.

Article VIII: Conference Newsletter

The Ohio Conference shall periodically publish a newsletter. The President and Ohio Conference’s Executive Director shall be responsible for the publication of the newsletter.

Article IX: Amendments

Amendments to this Code of Regulations shall be proposed by chapter resolution to the Trustees at least six weeks before the Conference meeting or by the Trustees themselves. Proposed amendments must be circulated to the membership four weeks in advance of the Conference meeting.

Adoption of amendments must be by a two-thirds vote of the chapters present and voting at a Conference meeting.